A Bachelor of Commerce (abbreviated BComm or BCom; also, ''baccalaureates commercii'') is an
undergraduate degree
An undergraduate degree (also called first degree or simply degree) is a colloquial term for an academic degree earned by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. In the United States, it is usually offered at an institution of higher edu ...
in business, usually awarded in
Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Pacific and northward into the Arctic Oce ...

,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

,
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකාව, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon, and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is ...

,
Pakistan
Pakistan, . Pronounced variably in English as , , , and . officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a popul ...

,
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North Channel, the Irish Sea ...

,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa
''Aotearoa'' (; commonly pronounced by English
English usually refers to:
* English language
English is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language first spoken in History of Anglo-Saxon Engl ...

,
Ghana
Ghana (), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of . The defines Western Africa as the 17 countries of , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and as well as .Paul R. ...

,
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. With over Demographics of South Africa, 60 million people, it is the world's List of countries by population, 23rd-most ...

,
Myanmar
Myanmar, ); UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, John ...

,
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مِصر, Miṣr), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a spanning the and the of . It is bordered by the to , the () and to , the to the east, to , and to . In the northeast, the , which is the northern arm of the R ...

, and additional
Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good
In philosophy
Philosophy (from , ) is the study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about reason, Metaphysics, existenc ...

countries; however, the degree is no longer offered in the United Kingdom.
Structure
Bachelor of Commerce
The
Bachelor
A bachelor is a man who is not and has never been married.Bachelors are, in Richard Pitt, Pitt & al.'s phrasing, "men who live independently, outside of their parents' home and other institutional settings, who are neither married nor cohabitating ...
of Commerce degree is designed to provide students with a wide range of managerial skills, while building competence in a particular area of business (see aside).
Most universities, therefore, plan the degree such that in addition to their
major
Major is a military rank
Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. I ...
, students are exposed to general business principles, taking courses in accounting, finance, economics, actuarial studies, business management, human resources and marketing; some programs also require
business statistics
Statistics is the discipline that concerns the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data
Data are units of information
Information can be thought of as the resolution of uncertainty; it answers th ...
and
-calculus, and information systems.
Depending on the institution, a formal
academic majorAn academic major is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits. A student who successfully completes all courses required for the major qualifies for an undergraduate degree. The word ''major'' is also sometimes us ...
may or may not be established. Regardless, a Bachelor of Commerce degree requires students to take the majority of their courses in business-related subjects, including the aside, among others.
For a comparison with other business degrees, see .
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
The
Honours
Honour (British English
British English (BrE) is the standard dialect of the English language
English is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language first spoken in History of Anglo-Saxon England, early medieval England, whi ...
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom (Hons) or BComm (Hons) or HBCom or HBComm) is further advanced.
The degree has a specialization aspect, analogous to the
BBA
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin
Medieval Latin was the form of Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch ...
, developing the student's business skills and / or providing in-depth knowledge of the field of commerce.
It requires additional academic courses to be completed, and usually with higher academic performance standards, and may also require a researched
thesis
A thesis, or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree
An academic degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher ed ...
component.
It often serves as an abridgement (or entry requirement) between the undergraduate program and postgraduate programs, including the
Master of Commerce
Master of Commerce (MCom or M Comm; sometimes ''Magister (degree), Magister Commercii'' as MagComm or Mag. comm.) is a postgraduate master's degree focusing on commerce-, accounting-, management- and economics-related subjects. Like the undergradu ...
(M.Com. or M.Comm.) and the
Master of Business Administration
A Master of Business Administration (MBA; also Master's in Business Administration) is a graduate degree
Postgraduate education (graduate education in North America
North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisph ...
(MBA) degrees.
It may consist of a four-year program
or of a one-year program taken subsequent to a three-year
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin
Medieval Latin was the form of Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken in the area ...
;
the one-year program is typically focused exclusively on a single subject-area.
Duration
The
curriculum
In education
Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, value (ethics), values, morals, beliefs, habits, and personal development. Educational methods include teaching, training, storytelli ...
generally lasts three years in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa
''Aotearoa'' (; commonly pronounced by English
English usually refers to:
* English language
English is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language first spoken in History of Anglo-Saxon Engl ...

,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

,
Malta
Malta ( , , ), officially known as the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ) and formerly Melita, is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies south of Italy, east of Tunisi ...

,
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. With over Demographics of South Africa, 60 million people, it is the world's List of countries by population, 23rd-most ...

, some parts of
Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Pacific and northward into the Arctic Oce ...

and
Hong Kong
Hong Kong (; , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR), is a List of cities in China, city and Special administrative regions of China, special administrative region of China on the ...

. The curriculum requires four years of study in the
Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland ('), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern ...

, the majority of
Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Pacific and northward into the Arctic Oce ...

,
Ghana
Ghana (), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of . The defines Western Africa as the 17 countries of , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and as well as .Paul R. ...

, the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...

and the
Netherlands
)
, national_anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map = EU-Netherlands.svg
, map_caption =
, image_map2 = BES islands location map.svg
, map_caption2 =
, image_map3 ...

. In
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is ma ...

, the duration of the program can be three years.
In
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. With over Demographics of South Africa, 60 million people, it is the world's List of countries by population, 23rd-most ...

,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa
''Aotearoa'' (; commonly pronounced by English
English usually refers to:
* English language
English is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language first spoken in History of Anglo-Saxon Engl ...

,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and some universities in
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

, the BCom (Hons) degree is considered an additional
postgraduate
Postgraduate education (graduate education in North America) involves learning and studying for Academic degree, academic or professional degrees, academic or professional certificates, academic or professional diplomas, or other qualifications ...
qualification, whereas in
Malta
Malta ( , , ), officially known as the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ) and formerly Melita, is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies south of Italy, east of Tunisi ...

, an additional year of study is not considered a postgraduate qualification. In
Pakistan
Pakistan, . Pronounced variably in English as , , , and . officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a popul ...

, the BCom/AD Commerce degree lasts two years, the BCom (Hons) degree lasts three years, and a four-year program leads to the BS (Hons) Commerce degree.
History
The Bachelor of Commerce degree was first offered at the
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a public university, public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingh ...

. The
University's School of Commerce was founded by
William Ashley, an Englishman from
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2017, its population was estimated at 152,450. It is northwest of London, southeast of Birmingham, and northeast of Bristol. The city is home to the Unive ...

, who was the first professor of Political Economy and Constitutional History in the Faculty of Arts at the
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto (U of T or UToronto) is a public
In public relations
Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing and disseminating information from an individual or an organization
An organization, or organ ...

. Ashley left Toronto in 1892, spent a few years at
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private
Private or privates may refer to:
Music
* "In Private
"In Private" was the third single in a row to be a charting success for United Kingdom, British singer Dusty Springfield, after an absence of nearly t ...

, and then went back to England to the new University of Birmingham where he founded the School of Commerce. Ashley began the program which was the forerunner of many other BCom degree programs throughout the
British Empire
The British Empire was composed of the dominions, Crown colony, colonies, protectorates, League of Nations mandate, mandates, and other Dependent territory, territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. ...

.
Eighteenth-century economists had divided the English economy into three sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. Commerce included the transportation, marketing and financing of goods. The Birmingham program in commerce included economic geography, economic history, general economics, modern languages, and accountancy.
See also
*
Bachelor of Accountancy
The Bachelor of Accountancy, also known as Bachelor of Accounting, is the principal academic degree in accountancy in several countries, and is often the only (undergraduate) degree recognised for subsequent practice as a professional accountant; ...
*
Bachelor of Business
A Bachelor of Business (BBus, BBus (Major)) is a three to four year undergraduate business degree offered by traditional and newer universities from the post-Dawkins era in Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is ...
*
Bachelor of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from New Latin, Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an Undergraduate degree, undergraduate academi ...
*
Bachelor of Business Science
*
Bachelor of Economics
A bachelor is a man who is not and has never been married.Bachelors are, in Richard Pitt, Pitt & al.'s phrasing, "men who live independently, outside of their parents' home and other institutional settings, who are neither married nor cohabitating ...
*
Bachelor of Public Administration
The Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA or B.P.A.) degree is one of several level administration degrees that provides training in the field as well as . A in provides a background for those interested in pursuing careers in governmental ag ...
*
Business school
A business school is a university-level institution that confers degrees in business administration
Business administration (also known as business management) is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overse ...

*
Master of Commerce
Master of Commerce (MCom or M Comm; sometimes ''Magister (degree), Magister Commercii'' as MagComm or Mag. comm.) is a postgraduate master's degree focusing on commerce-, accounting-, management- and economics-related subjects. Like the undergradu ...
References
{{reflist
Commerce, Bachelor of
Business qualifications